Dindia Tote: Top Grain Cowhide in mtallic apricot, removable laptop pad and shoulder strap. Fully lined with interior pockets and nickel hardware. Bag Dimensions: 16"w x 17"h x 5"d

~SPRING / SUMMER 2012~

Just in time for the leaves to change, before the winter chill set in I had the opportunity to show my new collection at Midwest Fashion Week.

It was a wonderful chance to meet some of the Midwest’s up and coming designers and spend a wonderful week in my hometown of Indianapolis with my family and friends. I also got to work with some wonderful industry professionals from Midwest Fashion Week including Berny Martin, Le Wang and Casey Photography just to name a few.

This collection is brand new though I re-worked a few silhouettes from other bags I have made to bring them to life in beautiful supple top grain leathers. My focus was on functionality, today’s woman demands a handbag that is not only transitional but refined and stylish. Three of the bags in my collection are lap-top bags that have removable lap-top pads that easily velcro in and out.

The Dindia Tote can securely hold a 17″ computer and the removable cross-body strap makes it a great carry-all work bag. Take off the strap and leave the computer at the office and you have a bold over-sized bag for your Saturday shopping trip or visit to the Farmer’s Market! It is fully lined with open and zippered interior pockets.

The Jipsea Bag can also hold a 17″ lap-top and is large enough to function as a carry-on for the jet-setter or an overnight bag for stay-cation at your favorite hotel. It also has a removable cross-body strap and lap-top pad so it gives you a great hands free option for travel. I happen to love it for everyday too since I love large statement bags! It is fully lined with large interior zippered and open pockets to hold all your necessities.

The Explorer Bag is slim and sleek and also has a thinner removable pad great for holding a tablet or work files. It’s thin design makes it a breeze to carry all the daily essentials without getting in the way. It also has a removable shoulder strap and fox tail accent just to give it a bit of personality.

The Mimi Bag is very classic design, reminiscent of a vintage silhouette. I collect vintage handbags and love them for their clean simplicity and beautiful construction. The Mimi is done in a buttery soft lambskin with a suede lambskin panel on the front flap. It also has a removable chain strap and wristlet strap so it can be carried as a day bag or a clutch for evening. It used bold modern hardware and an Artic Fox tail to make it a bit more playful. It is also lined with open and zippered interior pockets.

The Harlot Clutch is bold and sassy constructed in a bright lime green Top Grain Cowhide. The front flap strap is open so you can slide your arm through it giving you a way to carry it and still have your hands free. it is lined in my signature chain link pattern lining with an interior zipper pocket.

The Blakeman Bag is rests beautifully on the arm, constructed in white Italian- Croco and Top Grain Cowhide. It’s fulled lined with open and zippered interior pockets and has a removable tassel and piping detail. It’s refined and elegant but definitely a statement piece!

All of the materials for this collection are sourced within the United States and I am thrilled that this collection will be produced right here in Chicago! This is a really big step for me since up until now I have been a one woman workshop hand-making each and every bag by myself. This doesn’t mean my vintage industrial Brother Sewing Machine will be put away as I will continue to draft all of my own patterns and make all my own samples just like these. I love the production process and sewing is one of my favorite things to do I just can’t physically make enough bags by myself.

This collection is a true labor of love and I’m so looking forward to being able to share them with everyone.

And of course each of the bags will be available in at least one other color, variety is the spice of life after all!

Jipsea Bag Top Grain Cowhide in Turquoise, removable laptop pad and cross-body strap. Fully lined with open and zippered pockets. Spike and fringe embellishments, polished nickel hardware and optional tail accent. Bag Dimensions: 18"w x 15"h x 7"d

Harlot Clutch Top Grain Cowhide in Lime Green. Fringe and stud detailing, fully lined with interior zipper pocket, polished nickel hardware. Bag Dimensions: 13"w x 7"h x 1"d

Explorer Bag Italian Croco in tobacco, removable tablet/ file pad and shoulder strap. Fully lined with open and zippered interior pockets. Optional tail accent and polished nickel hardware. Bag Dimensions: 17"w x 12"h x 1"d

Mimi Bag Lambskin in stone, removable chain strap and wristlet strap. Fully lined with interior open and zipper pockets, polished nickel hardware and optional tail accent. Bag Dimensions: 12.5"w x 8.5"h x 3"d

Blakeman Bag Italian Croco upper in white and Top Grain Cowhide bottom in pearl. Removable tassel accent with polished nickel hardware. Fully lined with open and zippered interior pockets. Bag Dimensions: 16"w x 15"h x 4"d